What is an Aztec code?

An Aztec code is a square 2D barcode with a bullseye of nested squares at its center, which scanners find first and read the rest from. Thanks to that it needs no blank border around it, so it fits in tight spaces, and it can be read even when printed small, shown on a screen or partly damaged. Andrew Longacre invented it in 1995, and it's standardized as ISO/IEC 24778. It's best known from transport tickets: many railways and airlines put their tickets and mobile boarding passes in Aztec codes.

Tool description

Type text, numbers or a link and the tool draws its Aztec code as you type, choosing the size and error correction for the amount of text. Set the scale to make the image bigger, change the colors of the code and the background, and download the code as a PNG, JPG or WebP image.

Features

  • Text, numbers and links - including letters with accents and other alphabets
  • Automatic size - from compact codes for short text to large ones for long text
  • Error correction - added for you, so damaged codes still scan
  • Scale - from small to large images
  • Custom colors - any color for the code and the background
  • Image download - PNG, JPG or WebP

Tips

  • Aztec codes need a scanner that reads 2D codes, such as a phone app or a camera-based scanner.
  • Shorter text makes a smaller code with bigger squares, which scans more easily from a distance.
  • Keep a dark code on a light background: many scanners can't read light codes on a dark background.